Run-On Sentences

1
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 There are Two Types of Run-
On Sentences
Comma Splices:
Fused Sentences: A comma is used to connect
They are fused or or “splice” together the
joined together as if two complete thoughts. A
they were only one comma alone is NOT
thought. ENOUGH to connect two
complete sentences.

Rob exercises everyday he Rob exercises everyday, he

Error Error
should be in good condition. should be in good condition.
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How to Correct Run-Ons
◆ There are three common methods of
correcting a run-on:
– Use a period andNote:a capital letter.
– Use a comma A fourth
plusmethod of word (and,
a joining
correcting a run-on is to
but, for, or,use
nor, so, yet) to connect the
subordination.
two complete thoughts.
– Use a semicolon to connect the two
complete thoughts:

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Correcting Run-On Sentences
◆ One way of correcting a run-on is to use a
period and a capital letter between the two
complete sentences. Use this method
especially if the thoughts are not closely
related.
– Kristin plays the guitar well she hopes to start
her own band.
– Revision: Kristin plays the guitar well. She hopes
to start her own band.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Correcting Run-On Sentences
◆ Another way of correcting a run-on is to
use a comma plus a joining word to
connect the two complete thoughts.
There are seven joining words (also
called conjunctions).
– Kristin plays the guitar well, and she hopes
to start her own band.

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 Adding a Coordinating Conjunction

One way to remember the seven

coordinating conjunctions is to put them in “FANBOYS”
this order:

For Nor
And
Michael plays the
trumpet well, so he
hopes to be selected
for the jazz band.
But So
Or Yet

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Correcting Run-On Sentences
◆ A third method of correcting a run-on is
to use a semicolon to mark the break
between two sentences.
Kristin plays the guitar
◆ A semicolon looks like a period above a
well; she hopes to start
comma.
her own band. Also correct:
◆ When it is used to correct run-ons,
Kristin plays the the
guitar
semicolon can be used well; alone consequently,
or with a
she hopes to start
transitional word. her own band.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

1. The temperature dropped

below freezing last night.
We had to bring our plants
indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

1. The temperature
Correct
dropped below freezing last
night. We had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

2. The temperature
dropped below freezing last
night; we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

2. The temperature
Correct
dropped below freezing last
night; we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

3. The temperature
dropped below freezing last
night, so we had to bring
our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

3. The temperature
Correct
dropped below freezing last
night, so we had to bring
our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

4. The temperature
dropped below freezing last
night, we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

4. The temperature
dropped below freezing last
Incorrect night, we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

5. Because the temperature

dropped below freezing last
night, we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

Correct 5. Because the temperature

dropped below freezing last
night, we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

6. If the temperature drops

below freezing tonight, we
must remember to bring
our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

Correct 6. If the temperature drops

below freezing tonight, we
must remember to bring
our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

7.The temperature dropped

below freezing last night,
therefore, we had to bring
our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

“Therefore
Practice ” isIdentify
Review: not one of the
seven
each coordinating
entry as correct conjunctions,
or
so it cannot be used with a
incorrect.
comma between two
independent clauses.
See page 336 for a list
7.The temperature dropped
of transitional words..
below freezing last night,
Incorrect therefore, we had to bring
our plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

8.The temperature dropped

below freezing last night,
thus we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

8.The temperature dropped

below freezing last night,
Incorrect thus we had to bring our
plants indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.

9.The temperature dropped

below freezing last night
we had to bring our plants
indoors.

McGraw-Hill Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Learning to Identify and Correct
Comma Splices

Practice Review: Identify

each entry as correct or
incorrect.
It is a fused sentence.

9.The temperature dropped

below freezing last night
Incorrect we had to bring our plants
indoors.

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 Any Questions?

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